Electric device for preventing accidents on railways



(No Model.) I 2 Sheets--Sheet 1.

G. THEW. ELECTRIC DEVICE FCR PREVENTING ACCIDENTS 0N RAILWAYS. No. 435,259. Patented Aug. Z6, 1890.

@alf/ceo es ,7kg/wan 357 new.

(No Model.) i 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. THEW. ELECTRIC DEVICE EOE PREVENTINC ACCIDENTS CN RAILWAYS. No. 435,259. Y Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT @Erica GILMOEE 'r1-IEW, oFPEnU, NEW Yoan.

ELECTRIC DEVICE FOR PREVENTING ACCIDENTS ON RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,259, dated August 26, 1890. Application tiled February 25, 1890. Serial No. 841,763. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, GILMORE THEW, a citizen of the United States, residing' in the town of Peru, county of Clinton, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Electric Devices for Preventing Accidents on Railways, of which the following is a specification.

The following is a detailed description of my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

Similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts in said drawings.

'To carry my invention into effect I have invented the electric apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent views of different parts of a pole-changing device D with` an automatic electric stop-motion, said stopmotion illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 illustrates the combination of said'Figs. 1, 2, and 3 on a line c at, Figs. 1 and 2, when placed in position for operation. Figs. 5 and 6 represent different views of a combined rheostat and automatic electric cut-out; Fig. 5, a side View, and Fig. 6 a top View. Fig. 7 illustrates a top view of a portion of said cut-out. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a section of track. Fig. 9 is a vertical section through a locomotive-cab, showing the devices in position.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 4 the numerals 1 and 2 represent two non-conducting disks held in position at a proper distance from each other by bolts or rods 3 for the purpose herein described,said disks to have permanently fastened to their inner surface a series of metallic plates 1l, placed in a cirrle at a proper distance from each other and at a proper distance from the center of said disks for the purpose herein described, the said disks 1 and 2 to have a perforation at their centers for the insertion of a shaft 4, said shaft to have rmly fastened thereto an arm 5 to revolve at right angles with it between said disks 1 and 2, said arm 5 to have fastened at or near its ends a metallic brush or lip 15 said brush or lip to be placed ata proper distance from the center of said arm so aste come in contact and make proper electric connection with the aforesaid series of plates 11.

Now to illustrate the operation of this polebattery would be presented to point 32 and the negative pole to point 31, and by disconnecting plates 113 and 115, and at the same time disconnecting plates 112 and 117 and connect plates 11 and 116, and at the same time connecting plates 114 and 11S it would reverse the current and the positive pole would be presented to point 31 and the negative pole to point 32. Now it is evident by the above description that by revolving said shaft 4, causing arm 5 to revolve between the aforesaid disks 1 and 2, it would connect the series of plates 11, as above stated, causing an electric current to flow (if said points 31 and 32 were connected) alternately, rst, for illustration, from point to point 31 and then from point 31 to point at each revolution of said shaft 4,

vas described, and for the purpose herein set forth. Said shaft 4 to have iirlnly fastened theretoa gear-wheel 14, and a gear-wheelorpulley 17, for the purpose next described. Gearwheel, or pulley 17 is for the purpose of engaging with a motive power suitable to con- Vey a rotary motion to said shaft 4. Gear- Wheel 14 is for the purpose of engaging with the automatic electric stop-motion next described, and is illustrated in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 3 and 4, 9 represents a pair of electro-magnets, 10 represents their armature, and 7 the armature-lever, with its fulcrum at 8, said lever held against point lt by means of Spring 12. Now if a current of electricity of sufficient strength pass through sai-d magnets 9, it would cause armature 10 to be attracted toward said magnets, causingsaid armature-lever 7 to turn on its fulcrum at 8 by overcoming the resistance of the spring 12,

thus causing the point 13 to engage with the cogs on gear-Wheel 14, thereby stopping the rotary motion of said wheel 14, said shaft 4, and arm 5, and when the current ceased to flow with sufficient strength for the purpose IOC above described said spring 12 would draw said lever 7 against point 16, thereby discrigaging point- 13 from the cogs on said gear- Wheel 14, thus allowing shaft 4 to be revolved aga-in, thus setting said pole-changing device in operation. Now it is evident by the above if We were to connect one of the electric conductors or 61,1eading from one pair ofthe series of plates 11 on diskl to the electro-magnets 9,when a currentof electricity of sufficient strength was madeto Iiow through said polechanging device it would cause the armature 10 to be attracted toward magnets 9, thereby causing point 13 to engage with the cogs of said gear-wheel 14, thereby causing the rotary motion of shaft 4 and arm 5 to stop, for the purpose herein described. Now if we connectthe poles of an electric battery or dynamo to said pole-clianging device, as above described, and convey a rotary motion to said shaft 4, causing said arm 5 to revolve between disks 1 and 2, it would cause the current from said battery or dynamo to be reversed at each revolution of said shaft 4-that is, it would flow tirst in one direction, then in the other, on such conductors as should connect points 31 and-32, and when the current became of sufficient strength to cause the automatic electric stop-motion to operate it would cause the.

said pole-changing device to cease reversing the current, all for the purpose herein described.

In Figs. 5 and 6, 33 represents a rheostat, and E represents an automatic electric cutout, said cut-out so constructed that by connecting the poles of a battery or dynamo to the binding-posts 35 and 36for illustration,

' binding-post 35 and the negative pole of said` connect the positive pole of thebattery 46 to battery tobinding-post 36. Now a current of electricity would iiow from said battery to binding-post 35 on conductor 37 to rheostat33, from said rheostat on conductor 38, through magnets 39 on conductor 40, to binding-post 36, and thence back to battery 46. Now if the current were of sufficient strength to cause said magnets 39 to attract their armature 41, overcoming the resistance of spring 55, causing armatnre-lever 42 to come in contact With point 43, it'would cut out of the electric circuit said rheostat 33 and n1agnets 39, causing the elect-ric current to dow from said battery 46 to binding-post 35 on conductor 37, from conductor 37 on conductor 44 to armature-lever 42, from armature-lever 42 by contact-point 43 on conductor 45, thence on conductor 47 to conductor 40, on conductor 40 to binding-post 36, thence back to the battery 46 but if the magnets 39 were cut out of the electric circuit they would cease to attract their armature 41 and the desired result, which is the cutting out of the electric circuit of the said rheostat 33, causing a more powerful current to ow from battery 46 to binding-post 35, from binding-post on the aforesaid conductors 37 and 44, armature-lever 42, conductors 45,

47, and 40, from binding-post 36 on conductor leading to said battery 46, would not be obtained; but to avoid this difficulty VI use the fixture illustrated in Fig. 7, in which 45 represents the electric conductor 45, before referred to in Figs. 5 and 6, which is composed of three strips of material, one of them a nonconductor, the others conductors of electricity so placed in connection with each other that the strip 50, which isthe non-conductor, is placed between the strips 51 and 52,which are the conductors, so as to insulate them from each other, said strips 51 and 52 to be longer than the strip 50, so as to project beyond the said insulator-strip 50, and form the points 43. tric conductor 48 to one of the conductingstrips 51 and 52 and connecting said conductor 48 with the aforesaid conductor 38 when the armature-lever 42 comes in contact with points 43, there would be a current of electricity owing on armature-lever 42 from point-s 43 on said conductor 45, a portion on conductor 52 to conductor 48, from conductor 48 on conductor 38 through the aforesaid magnets 39 to conductor 40, and a portion on Now by connecting an elecconductor 51, from conductor 51 on conductor 47 to conductor 40, and both of the aforesaid portions on conductor 40, from conductor. l40 to binding-post 36,-t'rom thence on the conductor leading tothe battery, thereby -keeping in circuit the magnets 39, causing ysaid armature 4l to be attracted thereto, keeping armatutelever 42 in contact with point 43, all for the purpose of cutting out of the electric circuit said rheostat 33, causing a more powerful currenty toV flow on the aforesaid conductors, for the purpose herein described. My reason for dividing the current and causing a portion to flow through saidV magnets 39 and a portion on conductor 47=isthat ifa current of electricity of great intensity were furnishedto said cut-out and rheostat, and said cut-out were set by means of spring 55 to operate when a desired degree of electric energy was obtained, it would, when said cutout 34 operated, be of such strength yas to burn out said magnetsf39; but by dividing the current and having only a portion of it fiow through magnets 39 it would avoid this diiculty.

Now it is evident bythe yforegoing description that if the poles of an electric generator were connected to said binding-posts 35 and 36, and said generator were `capable of furnishing a current of great power, land the said cut-out were set to operate When a desired degree of electric energy was obtained, when such degree was obtained said cut-out would operate to cut out of the electric circuit said rheostat, thereby causing a current of greater power to dow through said cut-out and on such conductors as were used to connectsaid generator tov said cut-out and rheostat, substantially as set forth, and for the purposevherein described.

1n Figs. 8 and 9 A A represent two electric conductors placed on or near the track and held invposition by any suitable insulator, which insulator is represented at a a. b represents an electric conductor placed in a locomotivecab and provided with metallic brushes or other device h at each end for making`proper electric connection with the aforesaid conductors A A, said conductor h to have in its circuit an electric bell F, an electric-measurement, instrument I, to indicate the passage of all electric currents on the said conductor b, an electric motor M for developing such power as is necessary for the desired purpose, a pole-changing device D, (illusstrated in Fig. 4 and hereinbefore described,) an electric battery or dynamo B, a rheostat 33, and an automatic electric cnt-out E, hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. i represents an electric conductor so placed in connection with said conductor b that by turning switch-lever j from point 7c to point Z it would cut out of the electric circuit said electric motor M, for the purpose hereinafter described.

Now, in Fig. 9, to illustrate the manner in which the aforesaid electric apparatus would operate,I will connect the conductors A A by an electric conductor H. By the above description it is evident that a current of electricity would flow from said battery B on electric conductor b through the aforesaid electric apparatus, bell F, measurement instrument I, electric motor M, pole-changing device D, rheostat 33, and cut-ont E, from contact-points h h on conductors A A, from conductors A A on conductor H, and if the current were of sufficient strength to cause the automatic electric cut-out to operate to cut out of the circuit the said rheostat it would cause a more powerful current to tlow, causing the automatic electric stop-motion in pole-changing device to stop said pole-changing device from reversing the current. Thena straight and powerful current would flow on said conductors and-th rough the aforesaid electric apparatus, causing motor M to operate, and, by having the electric generator of sufiicient capacity the said motor M would develop such power as would be necessary to apply the brakes and close the throttle.

`In Fig. 8 C represents a station; D', a sec# tion of the main track; E', a section of a side track with its terminus at F. G represenls a locomotive standing on the main track. m represents an electric conductor so pla-ced across thetrack that by opening the switch at F it wouldv draw said conductors A A in contact therewith. It is evident bythe above description that if said switch at F were thrown open it would connect electrically the said conductors A A, and it would be impossible for engine G to run onto side track E', but by using said conductor i', in connection with conductor b, and cutting out of the electric circuit (which circuit is from battery B on conductor b, from contact-points h 7L on conductors AvA,and from conductors A A to contact-point n on conductor m) said motor M, itA would enable the engineer to move his train onto side track E and at the same time keep the remainder of the electric apparatus in circuit, that if another train that is provided with the hereinbefore-described electric apparatus were approaching the depot it would cause the electric apparatus on the approaching train to operate to signal its engineer and close the throttle and apply the brakes. O represents an electric conductor so placed in connection with the aforesaid conductors A A and leading to the station C', and being provided with an electric switch or button at p, that by connecting the said conductors A A, by means of said switch or button p on conductor O, it would complete the electric circuit in case a train were approaching the depot, said train being supplied with the before-described electric apparatus, causing an electric current to flow from generator f, through electric apparatus on conductor b on the approaching locomotive, from contact-points 71 h on conductors A A, from conductors A A on conducter O, thereby enabling` a station agent to cause the aforesaid electric apparatus on the approaching train to operate, as hereinbefore described, to apply the brakes and close the throttle. Now it is evident by the foregoing description that if by any means whatever the aforesaid electric conductors A A should be connected electricallyand all trains'were provided with the hereinbefore-described elecvtric apparatus, (which is an electric generator, a pole-changing device with an automatic electric stop-motion, a rheostat and automatic electric cut-out, an electric motor, an electric-measurement instrument, and an electric bell,) when any train approached within a desired proximity of the point at which the aforesaid conductors A A were connected, it would cause t-he said elect-ric apparatus to operate, as hereinbefore described, by there being a current of electricity flowing from said generator through the said apparatus on the aforesaid conductors to signal the engineer and stop the train.

My reason for using a pole-chan ging device is, for illustration, if one train going north presented the positive pole of its battery or dynamo to the east conductor on or near the track by one of the contact-points h h, and the negative pole to the west conductor by the other contact-point h, any train going south would present the negative pole of its battery or dynamo to the east conductor, and its positive pole to the west conductor. Consequently I a current of electricity would flow without neutralization on thc aforesaid conduct-ors, from generator f, on conductor b, through such electric apparatus as is connected therewith, from contact-points h 7L on conductors AA A; but incase two or more trains were going north or in the same direction, they would each present like poles of their electric generator to the same conductor on or near the track,

rco

IIO

thereby neutralizing their electric energy, and therefore no effect would be produced;

but in using a pole-changing device on each same or in opposite direction, there would shortly be a straight current .of electricity flowing on the herein said conductors, whichA conductors are A A, on or near the tracleand l) on the locomotives without being neutralized. Now it is evident, by referring to the` description of the pole-changing device illus-A trated in Figs. l, 2, 3, land 4 that a portion of` the time the electricity wouldbe neutralized and the remainder of the time the electric energy would flow without neutralizing. Therefore it is evident by these descriptions that by means of the rheostat being set to `main` tain any desired degree of energy on the afore-.

said conductors A A on or near the track and b in locomotives, when any train that is provided with the hereinbefore-mentioned electric apparatus comes Within a desired proximity of a point at which the aforesaid conductors A A were connected electrically by any means whatever, it would cause the aut-omatic electric cut-out to operate, as hereinbefore described, to cut out of' the electric circuit the said rheostat, thereby causing a pewerful current of electricity to flow on the aforesaid conductor b, through'the aforesaid elec-` operate, as hereinbefore described, to stop thepole-changing device from reversing the current while the current was of sufficient strength; but'when the current ceases to be of sufficient strength to cause the said auto- 'matic electric stop-motion to operate to stop the pole-changing device from reversing the current, said pole-changing device would again operate in reversing the current.

It is evident by the above description that if a train thatis provided with the aforesaid electric apparatus should come within a desired proximity of a point at which the said conductors A A were connected, it would cause the aforesaid electric apparatus to operate to stop saidtrain; but if the engineer desired he could.v by means of the switch-leverj, brought in contact with point l, cut out of the electric circuit said motor M, (all illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9,) thereby enablinghim to proceed with caution and discover the cause of said conductors A A being connected, or enable him to back his train if he desires.

My reason for using a rheostat is, that if a current of electricity of suflicient strength to cause'said motor M to operate to develop the requisite amount of power to apply the brakes and close the throttle were maintained atvall times on the aforesaid conductors A A, the electric energy would be so great that itwould extend at too great a distance from the battery or dynamo B on said conductors A A, that if by any means said conductors A A were connected electrically at adistance that there would be no cause for alarm.' lt would cause the electric apparatus in locomotive to operate before the train came within dangerous proximity of the point at which said conductors A A were connected; but in using'a rheostat and setting the same properly itwould maintain such a degree of electric energy on said conductors A A as wouldA be necessary ,that when a train that was provided with the hereinlo'efore said electric apparatus comes'within the desired proximity of the 'point iat which said conductors A A were connected electrically to cause a current of electricity of sufficient strengh to flow through the automatic electric cut-out, to causesaid cut-ont 'to cuty rent. Consequentlytherewould be a straight and powerful current ilowin g on the aforesaid conductors and throughthe aforesaid electric apparatus, causing said motor M to 4operate to apply the brakes and close the throttle, and thus stop the train. v

My reason for using alneasurement instrument is that if ltwo or more/trains were travcling in the same direction the engineers could, by referring thereto, detect the passage of an electric current on conductors A A on or near the track from contact-points h on conductors b in the locomotives, thereby enabling them to detect the relativedistance at which their trains were traveling; If the current was strong, they would know thereby that they were neareach other; but if there was little or no electric energy flowing through said measurement ,instrument they would know that they were far enough apart and out'of danger of collision, thus giving them the privilege to govern the speed of their tf-ains accordingly. The engineers could also detect the passage of an'electric current on the aforesaid conductors, however Weak, from any cause whatever.

My reason for using an electric bell is, by having its magnets of proper resistance, it would give signal when the automatic electric cut-out operates to cut out of the circuit the rheostat. Thus the bell would signal the engineer at the time that the electric apparatus operated to apply the brakes and close the throttle, thus giving himv notice of the time at which his train was being, stopped.` i

This invention may be applied innumerous ways for the prevention of accidents and the convenience of the railway companies and the safetyof the traveling-public. l

IOO

It is evident by the foregoing descriptions that if the railways were provided with two electric conductors placed along the lines on or nea-r the track, and all locomotives should be provided with the aforesaid electric apparatus on an electric conductor which has a contact-point at each end, each of said contactpoints to come in contact with one of the conductors on or near the track, when any train came within a desired proximity, which may be governed by means of the rheostat being set to maintain the proper amountof electric energy, of a point at which the said conductors on or near the track were connected electrically, it would cause the said electric apparatus in the locomotive to operate, as hereinbefore described, to stop said train.

The conductors onV or near the track may beconnected in numerous ways for the desired purpose. All railway-switches maybe provided with an electric conductor, as described hereinbefore, and illustrated in Fig. 8, so that if by carelessness or accident the switch should be thrown open the conductors on or near the track would be connected. Then it a train were approaching the switch when said train came within dangerous 'proximity of said open switch it would cause the electric apparatus in the approaching locomotive to operate to signal the engineer and stop the train, thus preventing accidents by open switches. Again, all stations may be provided with an electric conductor like conductor O, hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Fig. 8, enabling ofiicials at the depots 'to stop any train coming into their depot, if desired. Again, any or all cars may be provided with an electric conductor similar to conductor l) in the locomotives, said conductor illustrated in Fig. 9, only with' the difference that it should not be provided with any electric apparatus except a switch or button, that by means of said switch or button the electric conductors A A could be connected or disconnected at any point on the railways at which said cars were.

It is evident by the foregoing descriptions that any ofdcial on a train in which the cars were provided with said conductor by means ofthe said switch or button could connect said conductors onor near the track, and in the track that if a bridge be torn away it would draw the said conductors on or near the track in connection therewith, thereby connecting the said conductors on or near the track. vThen if a train approached within dangerous proximity of said bridge it would cause the electric apparatus in the locomotive to operate, as hereinbefore described, to stop the train, thereby preventing accidents by broken bridges.

I am `aware that combinations of 4electric apparatus for prevention ot1 accidents on railways have been invented in this and in other countries, but I am not aware ot their being used to any great extent; but I do not believe there has ever been invented in this or in any other country a combination similar to mine.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and Wish to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of two conductors A A, in'- sulators a a, conductor b, with contact-points 7L h, said conductor l) provided with an electric generator B, the pole-changing device D, the rheostat 33, and automatic electric cutout E, an electric motor M, an electric-measurement instrument I, an electric bell F, as and Afor the purpose hereinbefore described, the electric conductor c', provided with the contact-point Z, switch-lever j, contact-point llc, in connection with conductor b, substantially as herein described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my nameto this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GILMORE THEV.

Witnesses:

N. CALLANAN, E. K. ROMEYR. 

